Lezate league backed

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Thursday February 4th, 2016

 THE Lezate rugby league in the remote Daulo district in Eastern Highlands wants to see the legacy of the late Kumul fullback David Buko live on.

Lezate league chairman Aaron Hagen said the former PNG Kumul came out of this league, and went on to make the national team.  

Hagen said every year during Christmas and New Year, youths came from all corners of Daulo to compete for fun without backing. This year, a local, Johinne Litimuso came to their rescue with asponsorship of K10,000 for both rugby league and volleyball.

Coincidently, Litimuso is the brother-in-law of Buko.

Hagen said Buko was one of the best No.1’s who was renowned for his attacking ability and his all-round game. The sponsorship was used as prize money for league and volleyball competitions.  The chairman said Litimuso also bought the grand final uniforms for the teams in both A and B grade finals. 

Hagen thanked Litimuso, who is from Nipuka Village in Asaro, Eastern Highlands, for coming out to support Buko’s people. 

“This is the first time the Lezate off-season rugby league competition has received funding,” Hagen said.

He said he was grateful that Litimuso had pledged to continue to support them next year as well.

Hagen said Litimuso would increase his sponsorship because he was pleased with the peaceful ending of the competition last week.

During the official kick-off of the rugby league final, he urged all the players to exercise discipline, good sportsmanship and respect the game and each other.